Sunday, February 5, 2012

City suffers a loss with Bob Small's sudden passing

Our city is powered by many wonderful people who often work behind the scenes to make huge differences to local organizations and individuals.

Bob Small has been one of those people.

In his role as associate director of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Small has always made the extra effort to make the local philanthropic and nonprofit scene thrive.

And since 2003, Bob and his wife Beth have built many more friendships in a different way, as owners of The Wine Store on 523 S. Cascade Ave.

Sadly, though, all those references have to become past tense now. Last Sunday, Small suffered a major heart attack, reportedly after a typical (for him) bicycle run that kept him in great physical shape. Friday afternoon, he passed away at the age of 61.

Following is a letter sent out late Friday from Michael Hannigan, executive director of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation:

Today at about 4:20 pm, my close friend and wonderful colleague, Bob Small, passed away. Bob suffered a massive heart attack last Sunday, and never regained consciousness. A good, good man of integrity and tremendous generosity…we will miss him so much.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they strive to understand this sudden and completely unexpected end to Bob’s life.

I will be in touch as we know more about a memorial celebration of Bob’s life. Please forward this email to those who may have known Bob.

With best regards to you all,

Michael Hannigan

Independent publisher John Weiss worked with Bob through the IndyGive! campaign, which is a project of the foundation's Community Fund.

“Our heart goes out to Bob and his whole family, including all his non-related kin at PPCF," Weiss said. "Bob, always caring and a great listener, got needed things done. Everyone who knows him feels emptier for his passing."